Seventy-two hours after acquiring swingman Carlos Delfino and center Miroslav Raduljica as part of a trade for Jared Dudley, the LA Clippers announced that the pair has been waived. The cost-cutting move will allow the Clips to stretch their salaries over 5 years. From the press release: The Los Angeles Clippers announced today that the […]

In exchange for swingman Carlos Delfino and center Miroslav Raduljica, the LA Clippers have sent Jared Dudley to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Clips are also said to be tossing in a future first-round pick to make the deal work. Per Yahoo!: Dudley, who averaged 6.9 points in 23.4 minutes per game last season, had fallen […]

The Clips are also said to be tossing in a future first-round pick to make the deal work. Per Yahoo!:

Dudley, who averaged 6.9 points in 23.4 minutes per game last season, had fallen out of the Clippers’ plans and is owed $4.25 million each of the next two seasons, but has a player option for 2015-16. Dudley, 31, was a double-digit scorer from 2010-13 with the Phoenix Suns.

Delfino, 31, is owed $6.5 million for the next two seasons — with a team option for 2015-16 — but missed the 2013-14 season because of a right foot injury. He is expected to miss part of the 2014-15 season as he recovers from the injury, a league source said.

I just wanna thank the clippers organization for everything.. It was a privilege to play for them.. I only wish I could of been 100%.. I wish them nothing but luckhttp://t.co/htSNdaOkMG

It turns out that Carlos Delfino’s self-diagnosis wasn’t quite on the money — the Milwaukee Bucks swingman underwent surgery in his native Argentina, and is expected to miss at least 8 more weeks. Per the Journal Sentinel: “The Bucks provided an update Saturday afternoon to report Delfino had undergone a successful procedure at Sanatorio de la Trinidad in San Isidro, Buenos Aires. The surgery was performed by Donato Villani, the Argentinean soccer national team physician. Villani was assisted by doctors Javier Swiatio and Pablo Pachervsky, with Bucks team doctors Michael Gordon and Samuel Idarraga present at the surgery. The 31-year-old Delfino will have his right foot immobilized and be placed on non-weight bearing restrictions for a period of eight weeks. Delfino suffered a fractured bone in his foot in a first-round playoff series against Oklahoma City and had a setback in his recovery shortly before the Bucks opened training camp. He was in a walking boot when camp started. Delfino posted this message on his personal web site in Spanish and English: ‘Thank all of you for the support during this hard time. Now is time to start the way back and just think the bad is over and only good vibes are coming. It is going to be a long way back but I can’t wait to get back on the court. Thanks to everyone.'”

According to a post on Milwaukee Bucks forward Carlos Delfino’s personal website this Sunday, his injured foot will require surgery, which will likely knock him out for the remainder of the season. Per the Journal Sentinel: “Delfino injured his right foot in the playoffs last season when he was with the Houston Rockets and he underwent surgery in May. He was in a walking boot when the Bucks opened training camp and said he had suffered a setback in his recovery. Delfino and Bucks team physician Michael Gordon traveled to North Carolina last week to consult with specialists about the injury. And it was determined Delfino will need another surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot, with recovery time estimated at four to six months. ‘I’m frustrated because I did all the recovery work but my body did not respond as expected,’ Delfino said on his website in remarks translated from Spanish. ‘I’m still optimistic. Now I have to be calm and open to the decision of the professional who can help me in the recovery of my injury. This is worse than I expected but I am sure that I will return to the court.’ The Bucks signed Delfino for help at the small forward position, bringing back a player who spent three years in Milwaukee and was part of the 2010 playoff team. Delfino signed a two-year deal worth $6.5 million, with a third non-guaranteed year. Later in the summer the Bucks made a trade with Phoenix to acquire Racine native Caron Butler, who has emerged as the team’s starting small forward. The hope was for Delfino to return this season to provide depth at the position, but now that will not happen.”

The Milwaukee Bucks are bringing back free agent Carlos Delfino. The cost is going to be $6.5 million over two seasons for the 30 year old. Per the Journal Sentinel: “Delfino and the Bucks agreed Sunday night on a two-year, $6.5 million contract with a third non-guaranteed year that could bring the total to $9.75 million, according to a league source. The Houston Rockets released the 6-foot-6 Delfino last week as part of their salary-shedding moves to clear the way for an agreement with center Dwight Howard, who chose to sign with the Rockets on Friday. Delfino played for Milwaukee for three seasons from 2009 to 2012 and appeared in 178 games, starting 159. He was a reliable performer under former Bucks coach Scott Skiles, who used him at both the small forward and shooting guard positions. […] Delfino had surgery after the season ended to have a bone spur removed from his foot. He provides depth at small forward along with Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and the Bucks’ first-round draft pick, 6-9 Giannis Antetokounmpo. Delfino also can play at shooting guard to support O.J. Mayo, another free-agent signing by the Bucks. Milwaukee has picked up three key players in free agency in the last three days, with Mayo agreeing to a three-year, $24 million deal on Friday and veteran center Zaza Pachulia agreeing to a three-year, $15 million contract Saturday. Contracts can be signed Wednesday when the league’s moratorium period ends.”

]]>http://www.slamonline.com/nba/carlos-delfino-to-sign-with-the-milwaukee-bucks-for-6-million/feed/2Carlos Delfino Out for Rest of Playoffs With Fractured Right Foothttp://www.slamonline.com/nba/carlos-delfino-out-for-rest-of-playoffs-with-fractured-right-foot/
http://www.slamonline.com/nba/carlos-delfino-out-for-rest-of-playoffs-with-fractured-right-foot/#commentsFri, 03 May 2013 23:55:01 +0000http://www.slamonline.com/online/?p=265556

The Houston Rockets announced tonight that forward Carlos Delfino is dunzo for the rest of the postseason due to a fracture in his right foot: “Carlos has played a large role in our success so far this season and we are disappointed for him that he will not be able to finish out this playoff run,” said Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey. ‘Carlos would love nothing more than to be out there with his teammates as they prepare for tonight’s Game 6, but this is the type of injury that requires a surgical repair. We expect he will be fully recovered in time for the start of next season.’ Delfino was forced to leave midway through the second quarter of Game 5 at Oklahoma City after experiencing soreness in his right foot. The eight-year veteran from Argentina played in 67 contests (five starts) during the regular season and registered averages of 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He posted averages of 9.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in five playoff appearances this postseason.”

The Houston Rockets, losers of two in a row, are struggling. And according to Carlos Delfino, much of the blame should be placed on their all-too-predictable offensive attack. Per the Houston Chronicle: “We become too predictable sometimes,’ Delfino said. ‘Just because we know we have a guy like James [Harden] creating and Jeremy [Lin], even if you are going to finish with pick-and-roll, from my point of view, you should be able to get another play before that pick-and-roll happens. It’s better to finish with a pick-and-roll in the last 10 seconds than the first five or 10 seconds, because the defense is already set.’ The Rockets said that running a more free-flowing offense will come as they become accustomed to one another. ‘Even though James is a pick-and-roll, pick-and-pop player and that’s what we run, it’s still all about getting that feel for one another on the court, realizing what James likes to do, realizing what Jeremy likes to do, being in the right spot at the right time, whether we like to pop, whether we know when to roll at the right time,’ forward Patrick Patterson said. ‘We’ll get it down. It’s still early, but it’s going to continue to happen until we get more of a feel for one another.'”

The Houston Rockets have waived center Josh Harrellson, who was acquired when Houston traded Marcus Camby to New York on July 11. Harrellson’s contract would’ve became fully guaranteed starting today, August 16. Via the AP: “The Rockets made the cut after acquiring Argentine forward Carlos Delfino this week. Harrellson played in two games for the Rockets’ summer-league team. He averaged 4.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 37 games for the Knicks in 2011-12. The former Kentucky standout was a second-round pick in the 2011 draft by New Orleans, then dealt to New York on draft night for cash considerations.”

Free agent forward Carlos Delfino, who played the last three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Houston Rockets. The 6-6 swingman is coming off the London Olympics, where he averaged 15.3 points and helped Argentina finish fourth. Via ESPN.com: “Delfino also played on Argentina’s gold-medal winning team in Athens in 2004 and the bronze-medal team in Beijing 2008. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 32.5 minutes in 2010-11, his most productive NBA season.”

Free agent swingman Carlos Delfino, who is currently mulling a two-year deal from the Houston Rockets, said on Wednesday that he will sign with an NBA team once the Olympics are over. The 2003 first-round draft pick has played the last three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, and is currently playing for Argentina in the Olympic Games. ESPN’s Marc Stein has the details, via Twitter: “Ran into Carlos Delfino today. He didn’t want to go into specifics on eve of huge USA game but said he WILL sign w/NBA team after Olympics. Houston, I’m told, actively chasing Delfino, who’s at 15+ ppg on 49% shooting at OLY. Celts want him but can’t afford him, Doc Rivers says.”

Carlos Delfino is currently out of a basketball job — though he is playing for Argentina in the Olympics this summer — and here he is venting about the frustration with his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks. Per HoopsHype: “I expected to have at least a conversation [with Milwaukee],’ Delfino said. ‘I ended up aggravating my injury because I wanted to play with the Bucks. It hurts me a little bit that they have not even reached out to me. That’s life, things happen. I learned from the experience. Coach Scott [Skiles] and the owner [Herb Kohl] have been very good to me. The rest… I expected a little bit more. Sometimes you expect not to be rewarded, but to be recognized for your effort, playing through injury and doing things for the group… When that doesn’t happen, I don’t say that I feel betrayed, but I feel overlooked. Even though it’s a business, I think the general manager should have maintained the personal relationship and put value on other things aside from a contract. As a veteran player, I thought it was always good to play no matter what [despite the injuries] and so far it has only played to my disadvantage.’ Phoenix, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Indiana have all been mentioned as potential destinations for him with nothing coming to fruition so far. The 6-foot-6 Delfino, who is back on the court after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia in early May, said he’s not nervous about going to the Olympics without a contract. ‘It’s a challenge to be a free agent and playing with Argentina at the same time, but I’m not worried,’ Delfino said. ‘I get along so well with my teammates, this is a great group of guys. If something comes up (in the NBA), it will be welcomed. If it doesn’t, I’ll go back home and spend time counting cows.'”

Last night, amidst the madness of the NCAA Tournament, six games and countless players brought us a solid night of NBA hoops. From Al Jefferson‘s game-winner to Indiana‘s ferocious comeback to the plethora of highlights between Lob City and New Orleans, roll through the gallery above for Thursday’s 15 best plays.

The NBA lockout is throwing a wrench into the Argentinian national team’s plans to have League stars represent it at the FIBA Americas Championship. From FIBA.com: “It remains to be seen if stars Luis Scola, Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni and Carlos Delfino will be among them because of the insurance quandary caused by the NBA lockout. ‘This has to be resolved in 15 days time because all the teams will soon begin training,’ Argentina Basketball Confederation president German Vaccaro said to FIBA.com. Argentina will start training on July 29. ‘In our case, I´m optimistic that Argentina will have all of their players to play in the tournament we are hosting.’ Because of the NBA labor dispute, players’ contracts will not be insured by the league. ‘We have to find a solution for the players,’ Vaccaro said. ‘From an institutional standpoint, it would be irresponsible on our part to make the players play without an insurance policy and on the other hand, for them, the players, they need to be insured for their own security, in order to do their job.'”

We’re fond of Nike’s puppets and adi’s “It’s on me” ads, but Li-Ning, an emerging brand, once again shows that they’ve got some style, too. Peep this trippy advertorial, complete with the Argentinian national team and Little Shop of Horror plants.

Two weekends ago, I spent a couple of hours on Saturday installing new blinds in our apartment. Wifey had ordered them online a few weeks earlier, and I’d put off hanging them for a while, but I knew if I was going to get a couple of uninterrupted hours to watch Game One of the Hawks/Bucks series, I’d have to knock this big item off my honey-do list.

As I unboxed the blinds, a rubber band fell out of the box. With zero consideration, I picked it up and slipped it on my wrist. It was there, why not?

That night, the Hawks beat the Bucks. Two nights later, the same rubber band on my wrist, the Hawks won again. The next day, Wifey noticed the rubber band and asked me about it. I told her the truth, that it was a good luck charm. Since I’d had it on, the Hawks had gone undefeated. If I took it off, there was a great chance the Hawks could lose their next game and it would be entirely my fault.

“Idiot,” she said. (Really, she said that.)

Two days later the rubber band broke while I was taking off my jacket. A day after that, the Hawks lost Game Three to the Bucks.

SEE?!?!

I know it’s nonsensical and maybe illogical, but I often believe that my actions have a direct and profound impact upon the teams I root for. Just as players have their pregame routines, I have my own. If you ask me, my wearing a Hawks shirt when watching the Hawks on TV is just as important as Joe Johnson going through his shooting routine or Josh Smith getting his ankles taped. And tonight, before Game Four of the Hawks/Bucks series, I may have screwed things up for the Hawks.

I stopped at my local market on my way home from work. My plan was to get in a run (that’s a post for another day), then shower, cook dinner and be on the couch by the Hawks/Bucks tip-off. (Yes, I cook dinner every night. That’s probably worth a whole ‘nother blog.) I grabbed a box of bucatini, some canned tomatoes, an onion, parsley, some garlic and a hunk of parmigiano reggiano. (I was obviously planning on making a fruit salad for dinner.)

On my way toward the cash register, I realized I didn’t really have anything to snack on during the Hawks/Bucks game, so I veered over to the snack aisle and looked for something relatively healthy. Chips were out, pretzels were too salty…almonds! I love almonds. They’re crunchy, flavorful, even healthy for you! The problem was that the can of almonds I saw was priced at $4.99. That’s pricey, yes, but even more than that, I was worried that dropping $5 on almonds would push my entire bill over $20. I had two twenties, and I didn’t want to break a twenty to pay like 73 cents.

As the woman at the register was checking me out, I kept an eye on the total of my bill; it was costing more than I expected, and I was resigned to having to break my other twenty.

Then the woman rang up my almonds, and they didn’t scan. She picked up the can, spun it slowly in her hand, looking for a price tag that didn’t exist. There were several people in line behind me, and she looked at them warily, as though she was weighing going to check the price of the almonds herself versus pissing off all the people in line.

She glanced up at me and asked, “Did you happen to see how much these cost?”

I looked her dead in the eyes and lied. “Yes,” I said. “They were $2.99.”

Without a word, she reached down, typed in $2.99, and hit the total key…

And it came up to $20.12.

See what happened there? I messed with karma. I straight up lied. I knew better, but I lied to try and help myself, to save myself the hassle of carrying around a couple of extra dollar bills. It failed then, and then a couple of hours later, karma really messed with me.

The Atlanta Hawks lost an important Playoff game tonight to a team that basically was carried by Carlos Delfino and the 83-year-old Kurt Thomas. Delfino, who averaged 11 points per game this season, scored 22 points on 14 shots. Kurt Thomas had 9 boards and spent the second half setting questionable screens and picks and showing the Hawks how to play tough without getting in foul trouble.

I’m not surprised when Brandon Jennings or John Salmons goes for 20 in a game; they’re both great scorers and they’re going to score, even when you run the occasional double-team at them.

Joe Johnson was Atlanta’s gift and their curse. He finished with 29 points and repeatedly hit jumpers to keep the Hawks within 10 points of Milwaukee, but Joe’s points mostly came at the price of ball movement. Sure, he scored on a lot of possessions, but Milwaukee was able to be mostly stationary on defense, and they were able to get a body on the Hawks, box out and pull down 25 defensive rebounds.

It wasn’t just Joe. Too many Hawks looked determined to try and win the game on their own. Mo Evans, Josh, Al — guys would get the ball, clear everyone out and then pound the ball as they backed in. The problem was the ball never came back out. The Hawks won the first two games by playing inside-out. They were methodical, they were patient, and they picked Milwaukee apart. Tonight they relied too much on the Iso-offense (see the SLAM 138 cover story for an explanation).

Even as poorly as Atlanta played, there were bright spots. even though Adam and Tzvi tried to convince me earlier to day that Luc Mbah a Moute was actually some sort of hybrid of Bruce Bowen and Ron Artest, tonight he defended Joe and Josh (who scored 20), and they didn’t have much trouble with him. Really, Kurt Thomas was The Situation for the Bucks, hacking and slapping and getting away with all sorts of shenanigans. I wish he was on Atlanta, because Thomas played with the heart the Hawks lacked.

There were times when the Hawks seemed ready to make a run, but the Bucks would get right back at it and hit an open three or get a steal or make some sort of big play to stem the Hawks momentum. The Hawks had the ball down six on consecutive possessions with about 4 minutes to go, and Mo Evans missed a three and a two, and the Hawks never got closer.

The Hawks have better players than the Bucks, but for the second game in a row, the Bucks were the better team. If Atlanta wants to win this series, the Hawks players have to buy into the notion that the whole is better than the sum of its parts.

I don’t know why the Hawks fell apart tonight, but I’ll take the blame. I never should have lied to that lady at the grocery store. it set off a chain of events that, at least in my mind, led to the Hawks losing at the hands of a couple of journeymen. That’s my bad.

Game Five is Wednesday night. I think I might just lock myself in my apartment until then.

• Also tonight, the Magic ground out a fourth-straight win over Charlotte and sent the BETcats fishing. Nice season for Charlotte, who exceeded expectations but just didn’t have enough experience or talent to get out of the first round. Now everyone’s talking about Larry Brown leaving. Adrian Wojnarowski even published a report today that LB is looking to get out of his deal so he can go to Philly. Woj says that Brown’s angling for a front office gig, which is why he keeps saying he won’t “coach” anywhere but Charlotte.

After the Orlando loss, Brown was asked if he’ll be back next season, and he said, “I’m not coaching anywhere but Charlotte. Now am I going to go home and talk to my wife and kids? I’ll be 70 years old with two young kids. Am I going to talk to them and find out what I need to do and am I going to talk to Michael? Yeah, absolutely.”

That man is slick.

• In Phoenix, the Suns just had too much for Portland. They’re up 25 right now as I’m posting this.

• Big night tomorrow night. Bron vs. the Bulls, and then Lakers/Thunder. All on TNT. Hey, they know drama.

It was only a matter of time before the NBA’s most active teams this offseason made a trade: “According to league sources, they are about to finalize a trade that could send swingman Carlos Delfino and point guard Roko Ukic in a two-for-two deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Young big man Amir Johnson is headed to Toronto but the other component of the deal remains unknown. It’s unclear when the deal will be official but it could be done as early as today or tomorrow.”